30% customs duties: EU delays its response in hope of an agreement

US President Donald Trump upended months of painstaking negotiations on Saturday by announcing he would impose sweeping tariffs on the 27-nation bloc starting August 1.

"The United States sent us a letter with measures that would take effect unless there is a negotiated solution. That is why we will also extend the suspension of our countermeasures until the beginning of August," von der Leyen told reporters.

The suspension of these retaliations to the American customs duties on steel and aluminum was due to expire during the night from Monday to Tuesday.

"At the same time, we will continue to prepare countermeasures to ensure we are fully prepared ," added Ms. von der Leyen.

The European Commission president insisted that the EU has "always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution. This remains the case, and we will use the time we now have until August 1."

Brussels has prepared tariffs on US products worth around €21 billion, in response to Mr Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports earlier this year.

But in April it announced it was suspending these measures to make way for a broader trade agreement with the Trump administration.

"Our hand remains outstretched

EU trade ministers are due to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss their response to Donald Trump's latest initiative, and especially how strong a position to adopt with Washington.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil argued in the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper on Sunday that "serious and solution-oriented negotiations" with the United States were still necessary, but that if they failed, the EU would need "decisive countermeasures to protect jobs and businesses in Europe."

"Our hand remains outstretched, but we will not accept just anything ," he continued.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned on Sunday of the prospect of a "trade war within the West."

"Europe has the economic and financial power to assert its position and reach a fair and common-sense agreement. Italy will do its part. As always," she said in a statement, while her opposition accuses her of lacking firmness in the face of Washington.

These remarks come after French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of all EU countries, on Saturday to "resolutely defend European interests" and "accelerate the preparation of credible countermeasures."

Since returning to the US presidency in January, Donald Trump has imposed fluctuating and widespread tariffs on his allies and competitors , disrupting financial markets and fueling fears of a global economic slowdown.

But his administration is under pressure to strike deals with trade partners after promising a series of arrangements.

So far, U.S. officials have unveiled only two agreements, with Britain and Vietnam, and a temporary reduction in tariffs with China.

The EU, along with dozens of other economies, was due to see its US tariffs increase from a base rate of 10% on July 9, but Mr. Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1.

In a letter released Saturday, Mr. Trump cited the United States' trade imbalance with the EU as justification for the new 30% tariffs .

This rate is significantly higher than the 20% rate that the American president unveiled in April, before suspending its application when the stock markets collapsed.